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Re: Other: Practical differences in length
By:Paul G. Jacobson
Date: 10/8/2008, 10:46 pm
In Response To: Other: Practical differences in length (Kudzu)

: What PRACTICAL difference is there in a long boat compared to a shorter boat?

Speed.

: Is there really any noticeable difference for an average paddler at
: average speeds?

'Average speed' increases for average paddlers.

: I understand longer water line means a higher maximum (or
: maybe potential) top speed. But if you had two identical boats other than
: one being 2' longer is there really any noticeable difference at normal
: speeds? What advatages of disadvantages do boats have?

If all you do is add length, you'll increase the displacement. Add 2 feet to a 16-foot boat and you'll increase the displacement by more than 15%. If the weight on board remains constant, the waterline drops a bit, or to put it another way, the boat floats a bit higher.
Many people will stretch a boat, and also make it narrower. This maintains the displacement.
Either way, you'll get a bit less water resistance, and so, a bit more speed for the same amount of paddling effort. Since tracking also improves, in a long-distance race you'll be more efficient; fewer corrective strokes means more of your strokes are for full forward propulsion.

PGJ

Messages In This Thread

Other: Practical differences in length
Kudzu -- 10/8/2008, 7:53 pm
Thanks, good info
Kudzu -- 10/11/2008, 12:33 pm
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Bill Hamm -- 10/11/2008, 1:55 am
Re: Other: Practical differences in length *Pic*
Etienne Muller -- 10/10/2008, 3:28 pm
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Carl Delo -- 10/16/2008, 1:03 am
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Bill Hamm -- 10/16/2008, 2:18 pm
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Bill Hamm -- 10/12/2008, 1:35 am
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Ross Leidy -- 10/9/2008, 10:11 pm
And it's in your head too
Kudzu -- 10/11/2008, 12:32 pm
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Scott Fitzgerrell -- 10/10/2008, 4:47 pm
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Kudzu -- 10/9/2008, 10:22 pm
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Bill Hamm -- 10/9/2008, 7:38 pm
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Charlie -- 10/9/2008, 6:14 pm
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Aaron H -- 10/10/2008, 10:52 am
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Charlie -- 10/10/2008, 12:14 pm
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Chris Sperry -- 10/9/2008, 10:55 pm
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Aaron H -- 10/10/2008, 11:05 am
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Chris Sperry -- 10/10/2008, 11:41 am
Re: Other: Practical differences in length *Pic*
Scott Fitzgerrell -- 10/10/2008, 4:43 pm
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Chris Sperry -- 10/10/2008, 9:44 pm
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Scott Fitzgerrell -- 10/11/2008, 4:55 pm
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Aaron H -- 10/9/2008, 12:49 pm
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Toni V -- 10/10/2008, 2:47 am
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Aaron H -- 10/10/2008, 10:24 am
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Bryan Hansel -- 10/10/2008, 1:17 am
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Kudzu -- 10/9/2008, 12:59 pm
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Don Lucas -- 10/9/2008, 10:13 am
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Kudzu -- 10/9/2008, 10:33 am
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Mike Savage -- 10/9/2008, 3:26 pm
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Bryan Hansel -- 10/8/2008, 11:38 pm
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Kudzu -- 10/8/2008, 11:59 pm
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Bryan Hansel -- 10/10/2008, 9:01 am
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Brian Nystrom -- 10/9/2008, 6:27 am
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Toni V -- 10/9/2008, 1:59 am
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Paul G. Jacobson -- 10/9/2008, 12:45 am
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Paul G. Jacobson -- 10/8/2008, 10:46 pm
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
HenkA -- 10/12/2008, 3:03 am
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Toni V -- 10/13/2008, 3:53 am
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Bill Hamm -- 10/13/2008, 3:24 am
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Bill Hamm -- 10/9/2008, 7:34 pm
Re: Other: Practical differences in length *Pic*
Clayton Plunkett -- 10/8/2008, 9:15 pm
Re: Other: Practical differences in length
Jerry -- 10/8/2008, 8:02 pm